McLeod disappointed with MSJ's decision to quit PP; says government has worked hard for workers

Labour Minister Errol McLeod is disappointed over the decision of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) to leave the People’s Partnership (PP).

The veteran labour leader and MP for Pointe-a-Pierre is the founding leader of the MSJ and is the person who signed on to the partnership on behalf of the organisation.

He was in Geneva when the new MSJ leader, David Abdulah, announced on Sunday that the party is leaving the governing coalition.

In a labour day address to the nation McLeod offered his first reaction to Sunday's developments. He said greed and malice have become a threat to progress.

"Having laboured in the trenches with so many, as a former trade union leader and having witnessed labour's rise from its humble beginnings to take its rightful place in the decision-making process of our country, I am now deeply saddened by the current posture of some in labour," McLeod said.

"I am troubled to observe that some have threatened to pull away and fall back at the start of the road less travelled and along which our predecessors sought to propel us."

He told worker they must never let violence become a part of their struggle. "My fellow countrymen, we should not, must not allow Trinidad and Tobago to become a nation of hate, spite and recrimination."

The minister pointed out that so far Trinidad & Tobago has managed to sustain a "reasonable" standard of living. However he said there are now efforts to "drive a wedge between key institutions and important sectors of our national community."

McLeod said individualism is damaging the national pysche. "As a nation, we owe it to our children and to all citizens of this country to stem the tide of this dangerous philosophy," he said.

"The tapestry of our lives transcends our DNA, our status in society and the amount of money we are able to earn or spend. We are connected by the legacy of a people whose blood, sweat and tears gave rise to the modern worker."

McLeod also spoke of plans for the creation of the Heroes Park and Museum, which is soon to be launched at Charlie King Junction in Fyzabad.

"When it is launched, this Park and Museum will allow us to consciously reflect on the personalities, contributions, ideas, commitments and social institutions that have given our lives as workers shape, purpose and meaning," he said.

McLeod noted that "the naysayers" point to what they perceives to be wrong in the country but they "have yet to challenge themselves to go beyond the stage of identifying the problems and now work toward creating avenues to abate them."

He saluted them for rightfully highlighting the "ills of the country so that we may all merge our talents and partner to resolve them, in the same breath I challenge them to also observe and note what is right about this country."

The minister said the government has been working hard to deliver much to the labour sector since it took office two years ago.

“Since the People’s Partnership government assumed the reins of leadership in May 2010, the ministry has, under my purview, sought to raise the prominence of vital issues to key labour demographics in our country, such as young people, women, (and) children.”

In her Labour day message the Prime Minister highlighted some of the positive achievements of her government on behalf of the working class in the country, including the settlement of 36 labour negotiations all of which have been outstanding for years prior to our taking office.

She also reminded citizens that the government raised the minimum wage from $9.00 to $12.50 per hour.

The PM also said, "We also ensured that the Masters and Servants Ordinance was repealed, which means that the old colonial law that guided the disadvantaged relationship between employer and employee is no longer on the statute books.

"The Industrial Relations Advisory Committee was appointed to consider and recommend to the Minister areas of the Industrial Relations Act for amendment and modernization.

"Your pro-labour government also amended the Maternity Protection Act to increase maternity leave from 13 weeks to 14 weeks. And these are just some of the many accomplishments in advancing the rights of workers by the government in just over two years.

"Your Government today reaffirms its pledge to protect the rights, enhance the benefits and improve the comfort of workers. We must, however, govern fairly and responsibly in the interest of the entire nation."